The bar hadn’t gotten any better, if anything, it felt worse, the noise was louder, the air heavier, and every time you accidentally glanced across the room—you saw him.

Your ex, too close, too present, you stayed near the counter, pretending to listen to your friends, pretending you were fine.

You weren’t, your phone felt heavier in your hand this time, you already knew who you were calling.

It rang, once, twice and clicked.

“Hello.” Tord's voice, same voice as always—low, steady, like nothing ever really shook him.

“Where are you?” you asked quietly.

A pause.

“Why are you calling me?” he replied, faintly amused.

You let out a small, soft laugh “Why’d you answer?”

Another pause, then his tone dropped just slightly “Cause I like your voice”

Your lips pressed together, a faint smirk tugging despite everything.

“Do you miss me?”

You bit your bottom lip, glancing down at the counter “Maybe.”

Silence—short, but it lingered, you shifted, glancing over your shoulder again—and there he was, your ex, closer now, your stomach twisted.

“Listen” you said, quieter “I’m out with my girls right now… but I was thinking you could come get me?”

A breath on the other end “We’re doing this again, yeah?” He mused subtly.

You tilted your head slightly “Oh, we don’t have to"

A beat then—“You’re funny" Another “I’ll come now"

The line went dead. — Time passed, too slow, every minute stretched longer than it should’ve, you stayed near the edge of the bar, shifting your weight, trying not to look around too much—but it didn’t stop that feeling.

Like you were being watched, like at any moment, he might walk over, your phone stayed in your hand, you checked it, nothing.

You sighed quietly, stepping a little further from the crowd, then—you called again, it rang once, twice.

“…Yeah?” Tord answered, voice lower this time. Tired. Like he’d just gotten out of something.

“Where are you?” you asked.

A pause.

“I’m outside, yeah?” The line cut just like that.

You blinked once, then let out a small breath you didn’t realize you were holding, of course he was, you didn’t waste time, you moved.

Pushing through the crowd, ignoring the noise, ignoring your friends calling after you—just heading straight for the door.

Out, old air hit your face instantly, and there he was, leaning against his car, shoulders slightly slouched, jacket hanging open, like he’d come straight from work without even thinking twice.

He looked tired, really tired but the second you stepped out—his eyes found you, focused, sharp, despite it.

You slowed as you approached “…You look exhausted” you said.

He huffed quietly, pushing himself off the car “I am” Simple but he still stepped closer, still looked at you like he was checking something “…You okay?” he added.

You shrugged lightly “I saw him" That was enough, his jaw tightened just slightly, gaze flicking toward the bar behind you for a second before settling back on you.

“…Right" A pause then he reached for the passenger door, pulling it open “Get in.”

You stepped forward, brushing past him—your shoulder hitting his chest lightly, accidental but enough, he tensed, you felt it just for a second.

You paused, glancing at him—but he’d already looked away, like it didn’t happen like he didn’t notice, he always noticed.

You got in, he closed the door, walking around to the other side slower this time when he slid into the driver’s seat, he leaned back for a second, exhaling quietly before starting the engine.

Silence settled, not awkward, just there, heavy, but not uncomfortable, he glanced at you briefly, then back at the road "You stayed longer than you should’ve” he muttered.

You leaned back in your seat “…I was waiting" A beat.

His grip on the wheel tightened slightly “You could’ve just left"

“I know" another pause, then, quieter—“But I didn’t want to leave alone" That one sat.

Tord didn’t answer right away, didn’t look at you but something in his expression shifted—subtle, controlled “Good thing I showed up then” he said, simple but not careless.

The car pulled away from the bar, from the noise.